by an Alliance international worker serving in a creative-access country
In slow, broken English, Isa* said to me last Friday: “I love studying the Bible because there are many good English words for me to learn. And it has really good lessons too!”
It put a smile on my face. And it reminded me of why my family and I live in West Africa.
Isa is a follower of the predominant religion here. He’s also a new member of our student center, where we care for more than 200 at-risk young adults through providing ESL classes, job-skills training, and biblical teaching as well as showing them hospitality.
For a few months now, Isa and I have met every Friday to read and study the Bible together.
We met Isa shortly after we moved here last summer, since he’s best friends with our night guard. We noticed how friendly, energetic, and talkative he is. Isa joined our student center a month later and began studying English in one of the classes our team offers.
Despite being an avid follower of his religion and quite hostile to Christianity, Isa’s desire to learn and the friendships he quickly formed with team members inspired him to begin attending a weekly English Bible class with one of our staff. After Isa confessed to me he was having demonically oppressive dreams, he and I began reading and studying the Bible together every Friday.
Jesus Is the Right Way
Over the course of these past several months, Isa has also had numerous conversations with multiple believers. All of these experiences and interactions have brought him to a spiritual crossroads.
After one Bible study, Isa exclaimed to me: “I think there are two ways to know God: through our prophet and through Jesus. I think Jesus is the correct way!”
Isa hasn’t yet made a public confession of faith in Christ; he still identifies with his religion and is quick to passionately defend it. However, his hostility toward Christianity is diminishing, and he often speaks about how valuable he finds the Bible to be.
A month ago, by God’s providence, Isa became homeless and asked us if he could move into our courtyard annex. It’s been a joy having him around. Our toddler loves going outside to play with and talk to him.
Conversations Lead to Jesus
Isa’s presence here has also resulted in many impromptu conversations over the last few weeks, ranging from forgiveness to childrearing. Our talks inevitably lead us back to Jesus.
We look expectantly to the day when Isa finally surrenders his life to Christ. We can’t wait to see his passionate heart engaged for the advancement of God’s Kingdom in West Africa.
Please join us in praying for Isa and that stories like these will become commonplace among our center’s members!
*Name changed
Learn More
Read “Setting the Oppressed Free,” which details some of the powerful ministry taking place at the student center where Isa is learning about Jesus.